The Milparinka Heritage Precinct

On the far northwest end of New South Wales is Milparinka, a once vibrant community developed in the pursuit of gold that became a ghost town once prospectors and their families lit out for more metropolitan areas. Nowadays, community money has been funneled into recreating the town as it was in its hey-day, with period-specific recreations of the police station, courthouse, and more, all presented with extensive information on the town's history. This is a must-see for travelers who want perspective on the rise and fall of towns built in the short-sighted race to exploit the hidden resources of the desert.

This is also the frontier of the rugged Australian outback, where granite mesas rise from the dusty, baked landscape and the heat regularly peaks around 110 (F) in the summer. Nearby Sturt National Park has a handful of short hikes and sweeping vistas, while lengthier drives are a great way of taking in this truly distinctive part of the world. Then again, Mutawintji to the south is all red cliffs and aboriginal cave sites, and another half dozen parks and reserves to the west all encapsulate natural elements of the illustrious Australian outback.

Location:Milparinka

Note:Milparinka is at least a day's drive from Sydney (about 16 hours via the Barrier Highway), but is much further from any other sizable urban center. Luckily, there are a number of campgrounds in the aforementioned parks, while accommodations can be readily found in the nearby town of Tibooburra.